Anti-statist attacks wrong - but not 'unprecedented'

Many here in Israel are quite upset at the attack on an IDF base by, supposedly, "hilltop youth". There was a break-in, an nofficer was injured, rocks were thrown, tires burned and military vehicles were vandalized. Previously, after the demolition of three homes at Migron, there was also an invasion of an IDF base.

ONE of the world's largest spy bases was invaded by scores of protesters who strolled past a lone guard to the theme of Mission Impossible yesterday. Others breached the 9ft perimeter fencing at RAF Menwith Hill, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The Greenpeace activists, some in fancy dress and "armed" with 7ft cardboard rockets, climbed on to the 70ft high water tower and chained themselves to railings.

In early March 8 anarchists in Cardiff invaded the BAE Systems munitions factory at Glascoed in Wales. They scaled a 3m high fence with the help of a homemade rope ladder. Splitting into three groups and dressed in appropriate white overalls they proceeded to make an inspection of the site... In Derby in England 14 activists entered the military port, occupying tanks and jeeps which were about to be sent to the Gulf...[a] bomber base in the UK, which is used for direct air raids on Iraq, is located at Fairford in Gloucestershire. Peace activists have been engaged in a steady campaign against its presence. The fence has been breached many times. On one occasion landing lights were destroyed on others the gates and parts of the fence were torn down. Activists who brought bicycles through the fence and cycled them up and down the runway blocked the runway at RAF Lakeheath. The runway at RAF Brize Norton was also blocked.

Five protestors associated with an international peace movement were arrested Monday after cutting through three security fences to reach an area where nuclear missiles are stored at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Cited on suspicion of trespassing and destruction of government property were Bill Bischel, 81, a Catholic priest from Tacoma; Anne Montgomery, 83, a nun from New York; Susan Crane, 65, of Baltimore; Lynne Greenwald, 60, of Bremerton; and Steve Kelly, 60, of Oakland, Calif.

but in Israel, even the Prime Minister is out of proportion.

Indeed, I repeat, this is a serious matter and must be treated with firm application of the law.

But let's not think in hyperbole. And it has happened in Israel before. Yes. And it cam from the far-Left.

in April–May 1988, Reserve Corporal Adam Keller was charged with "Insubordination" and "Spreading of Propaganda Harmful to Military Discipline" in that while on active military duty he had written on 117 tanks and other military vehicles graffiti with the text: "Soldiers of the IDF, refuse to be occupiers and oppressors, refuse to serve in the occupied territories!"

So, let's not lose our heads. The issue must be confronted. Educators, Rabbis, community leaders must be involved. Non-recognition of the state's institutions cannot be allowed to seep into the consciousness of our youth. Negativism and defeatism is to be combatted.